CJ Schwan’s downtown Sioux Falls offices overlook the Big Sioux River.
(Courtesy of SiouxFalls.Business)

A multinational conglomerate that recently anchored a $1 billion Asian food production factory in northwest Sioux Falls is backing the city’s downtown business district for the next five years.

Exactly how much CJ Schwan’s will pay Downtown Sioux Falls Inc. for the sponsorship remains a secret, but the deal is the most significant sponsorship ever landed in the organization’s 38-year history.

CJ Schwan’s breaks ground on estimated $1B South Dakota investment

Sioux Falls poised to be 'eggroll capital of the world' with plant spanning 12 football fields

logo

Subscribe to The Dakota Scout to read the rest of the story.

Become a paying subscriber of The Dakota Scout to get access to this post and other subscriber-only content.

Subscribe

A subscription gets you:

  • Daily news in your inbox
  • Viewpoints, concert reviews, obituaries
  • Weekly digital copy of print version

Reply

Avatar

or to participate

Avatar

Dean Nasser1 month ago(edited)

I hesitate to rain on the parade of what appears on the surface at least to be something with the potential to greatly benefit our city, but as a downtown property owner who gets assessed every year by the City of Sioux Falls - with the money I pay going not to the City but to DTSF, a non-government owned corporation, I have to ask: Why the secrecy? Are the other written terms of the agreement - benefits and obligations - that others and I will be assessed for, also unavailable to the public? Has the City, albeit through DTSF, taken on obligations financial or otherwise that bind our city whether directly or indirectly? I an NOT saying there is anything nefarious happening here, but neither should we freely celebrate the transaction as though everything will benefit the city without the underlying facts of the transaction being transparent and available. We elect City governing officers. DTSF officials aren't elected. Tell me if I'm wrong or unreasonable as I do not wish to be.

Avatar

Jonathan Ellis1 month ago

Test

Avatar

Puddy my Buddy1 month ago

The "Gift" is from the people of SD, whose money Governor Rhoden continues to shell out in the name of economic development. My math goes like this: The state of SD "TAKES" my money, "gifts" the money to CJ Schwans, CJ Schwan turns around and "gifts" the money to DTSF, and DTSF "gifts" the money back to the people in the SF community.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul is not a "gift", is it?

Avatar

Fred Carpenter1 month ago(edited)

Yes, exactly correct. Too bad Rep Lem's bill didn't pass last session giving an opt out option for businesses to not participate in this mandatory coercion. Best thing we could now is eliminate GOED and bring in true free market localism of people-centered business and end the Peter & Paul cronyism of enriching one group at the expense of another group!

Keep Reading